Kathy Coomer–Advice for Volunteer EMTs

What is your name? Any nicknames?
Katherine no-middle-name Coomer. Kathy, Kat, Kashka, or Kiki. I answer to them all.

What is your occupation?
I’ve worked as everything from a talent agent in Los Angeles to a Schwan’s truck driver with lots of things in between. Mostly, I’ve been an Executive Assistant to movers and shakers. Currently, I’m a shut-in caregiver to my disabled husband and our 15 year old son. This is by far the most challenging and rewarding “job” of them all.

What was the most enjoyable part of being a talent agent? The most frustrating part?
What I really loved most about being a talent agent was finding the right person for a given job (whether it be acting, writing, directing or producing). I enjoyed combining these efforts with casting agents and production staff. I worked for one of the top three talent agencies in the world and our “pool” of talent was amazing. So I was like a kid in a candy store when it came time to help find a good fit.

I think the most frustrating part of the job was dealing with the egos. You might be surprised to hear that I’m NOT speaking of the talent here but, rather, of other industry professionals. It’s why I left the business. Lack of kindness.

How old are you?
There aren’t enough numbers.

I’m 16 + 32 – 5 ÷ 2 X 4 – 30 if you must know.

I tried to figure that out, but gave up. Where do you live?
Hendersonville, North Carolina, ya’ll.

Do you have a blog or anything where people can learn more about you?
Nope. I’m a mystery, even to me.

The most interesting place you’ve visited?
Rome, Italy. Soooooo much history (good and bad) there!

Someone has one day to spend in Rome. How would you suggest they use their time?
Eat. The food is AMAZING! And no, it isn’t just pasta and pizzas. They KNOW how to cook fish, for example (my participation in the consumption of said fish was before I stopped eating anything with eyes). And it probably goes without saying that anybody who visits Rome MUST see as many ancient ruins as possible. Talk about history! WOW! The Coliseum is a given. Just to stand there and contemplate the things that happened there… Yeah, that.

What would be your favorite meal?
Tomato pie with a side of sautéed asparagus drizzled with fresh lemon juice. Hands down!

Pet peeve?
Only one? Oh my… Let me narrow it down….

Okay, narrowing down more…

Dishonesty. That would top the list.

Favorite book?
The Bible

If people want to pray for you, they could pray for…..?
Greater patience. I know that that can open up a can of worms God-wise. Who knows what He’ll give me in order for me to have that but I really am willing to do whatever it takes to know it. I’m pretty restless.

Tell us about your family?
Married, one human son, one dog son and two dog daughters.

My husband, Roger, has a severe traumatic brain injury. He is a quadriplegic and he can’t talk or eat. He is still and always will be the love of my life and it is an honor and blessing to care for him. Our son, Timothy, is 15 years old (you wouldn’t believe how much he’s grown, Henry!). He has autism and he has worked so hard and made so much progress to overcome many negative behaviors associated with that. I’m very proud of him. He’s still a work in progress but aren’t we all? We have an old Beagle, a younger Pekingese, and a younger still German Shepherd who all sleep with me (but don’t tell anybody).

They are all imperfectly perfect and I love them.

One thing many people don’t know you can do?
I’m right-handed but play darts best left-handed.

If you had any spare time, what would you do with it?
I honestly wouldn’t know what to do with it. It’s been years since I’ve had it. A cruise to the Greek islands sure sounds nice!

Tell us some interesting things about yourself that aren’t already covered.
I’m a former volunteer EMT (I really miss that work!!!). I studied improv at The Groundlings Theatre in LA and am a former model. I’m a U.S. Navy veteran. Ummmm…. I love to paint and write and would spend days working in the garden if I were able. I’m a vegetarian/borderline vegan. I suffer from insomnia. I like Brussels sprouts.

Can I show my readers this picture you’ve painted?
Yes.

Thanks much, Kathy. Can I ask you to offer some advice for volunteer EMTs?
My advice for volunteer EMTs? Sometimes, when people are confronted with “the worst” in life, the best care they can receive is that of a hand to hold, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on.

What did you do in the Navy?
I was a Radioman in the Navy. I worked in satellite signal propagation, cryptography and other things that I’d have to kill you if I told you about. I had my basic training in Orlando, my technical training in San Diego, and then was stationed for two years in Naples, Italy, two years in Thurso, Scotland, then six months in Norfolk, Virginia before I was discharged. Honorably. LOL!

Kathy, thank you for sharing with us some of your story. May God watch over and bless you and your family.